It was yet another ordinary day in my world. Get up, go to work, work, run errands, go home.
But on the other side of the world, it was an extraordinary day for Canada's Olympic Team.
Earlier this week, during a cross-country sprint, a Russian skier went down in a crash. He tried to get back up to finish the race, but it was clear that one of his skis was broken. Out of nowhere, one of the Canadian coaches ran out onto the course with a ski, helped the skier into it, and sent him off to the finish line. This act of kindness alone made me proud that Canada's team is made up of people who look beyond the competition to demonstrate real olympic spirit of respect and humanity.
Well, you can just imagine how blown away I was when I heard today that Denny Morrison won a silver medal in the Speedskating 1000m event BECAUSE his friend and teammate Gilmore Junio volunteered to give up his qualifying spot to Morrison, who had missed qualifying because he fell during the qualifiers in December.
Gob. Smacked.
And not only did Junio give up his spot to Morrison, but when Morrison raced today, Junio was watching down front, cheering and beaming with pride for his teammate.
Seriously, if the Olympics gave out awards for complete and total awesomeness in the sport of humanity, Canada would have a strong lock on it.
Go Canada!
...Wish you were here.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
February 11/14
I'm normally an average adopter of new technologies and programs--I'm not into getting the very latest thing, but I also don't result change at all costs.
However, today, my day was pretty much buggered by technology. While I was away at French class yesterday, my computer was upgraded, and first thing this morning, I returned to work and encountered problems with my email. As my job is fairly dependent on email, it was interfering with my ability to work on urgent tasks. By lunch hour, that issue was sorted, but then my trouble with the internet started, as pages wouldn't load and suddenly favourite links stopped working. Again, interfering with my work.
We're so dependent on technology, and it occurred to me that I wouldn't last a day without some kind of advanced technological assistance, particularly at work. It makes me wonder if I will ever find the will power to step back.
The course of Windows never did run smooth...
...Wish you were here.
However, today, my day was pretty much buggered by technology. While I was away at French class yesterday, my computer was upgraded, and first thing this morning, I returned to work and encountered problems with my email. As my job is fairly dependent on email, it was interfering with my ability to work on urgent tasks. By lunch hour, that issue was sorted, but then my trouble with the internet started, as pages wouldn't load and suddenly favourite links stopped working. Again, interfering with my work.
We're so dependent on technology, and it occurred to me that I wouldn't last a day without some kind of advanced technological assistance, particularly at work. It makes me wonder if I will ever find the will power to step back.
The course of Windows never did run smooth...
...Wish you were here.
Monday, February 10, 2014
February 10/14
It's another "little things" day here in the old Daily WYWH...
It's *such* a tough life when you have to decide between some delicious Mexican food and some delicious Indian food. I mean, both are awesome, it's so hard to decide! Yes, I know, it's a perfect example of what Tweeters like to call a first world problem (#FirstWorldProblems).
We opted for Indian because we live over a decent Indian restaurant here in the Market, so the convenience factor was very high. It was the right choice based solely on the breads.
I *love* naan bread. Plain and simple Tandoori Naan that tastes like pancakes. If you have never had naan or even experienced Indian food, I suggest this as an extremely safe and simple choice. Also, the papadum, if you can get it. It's an extremely thin flatbread that is crispy and disc-shaped. Our place downstairs uses lentil flour, so it's gluten-free and Etienne gets to enjoy its crispy goodness. And I was excited to see that the restaurant has added a gluten-free roti bread to its menu, which Etienne decided to take a chance on. Turns out it was extremely tasty, so yay!
I've always felt guilty for taking a naan bread when Etienne can't, now I get to greedily scarf it down to my heart's content because he has a comparable treat. More yummy yummy pancake bread!
The little things are so important...
...Wish you were here.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
February 9/14
We're living in a sports crazy period at the moment, what with the Winter Olympics, the 6 Nations Rugby cup, the Scott Tournament of Hearts, and of course, the Premier League action, but the most impactful news story in the sports world today is that a potential NFL draftee, Michael Sam, came out as gay today, just weeks before the draft.
While there is some argument that we shouldn't care so much when an athlete comes out, the fact is that the world of professional team sports is unforgiving when it comes to queer players, which is evidenced by the fact that there are so few professional team sport players who are out and active. Several have come out after they retired from professional play, but here is a young man who decided he needed to *start* his professional career with the honest truth.
Best wishes to you, Michael, I genuinely hope you experience the support of a good, strong organization.
Here's hoping the day comes soon that it will be no big deal to be a gay professional sports athlete...
...Wish you were here.
While there is some argument that we shouldn't care so much when an athlete comes out, the fact is that the world of professional team sports is unforgiving when it comes to queer players, which is evidenced by the fact that there are so few professional team sport players who are out and active. Several have come out after they retired from professional play, but here is a young man who decided he needed to *start* his professional career with the honest truth.
Best wishes to you, Michael, I genuinely hope you experience the support of a good, strong organization.
Here's hoping the day comes soon that it will be no big deal to be a gay professional sports athlete...
...Wish you were here.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
February 8/14
So, I get my music through a variety of sources, so I usually don't hear an entire album unless I find something strong enough to warrant my searching for more. A few years ago, I heard 'Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic, and really, it became a significant part of my life. That song dropped in my lap at a time of great upheaval in my life, and it means a great deal to me still.
So this evening, I finally got around to looking for more OneRepublic songs on YouTube.
Turns out, I'm extremely lukewarm on the rest of the OneRepublic catalogue. If I'm totally honest, I did not see that coming. I mean, Say is such a part of my story since 2009 and even today, it can still elicit tears from me, depending on my mood. I don't mean to belabour the point, but genuinely, that song resonated to deeply with me and my innermost wishes. How can it be that something so evocative can come out of a band that I otherwise could take or leave with utter indifference?
Is this a case of "Even a broken clock is right twice a day?"
All I need...
...Wish you were here.
So this evening, I finally got around to looking for more OneRepublic songs on YouTube.
Turns out, I'm extremely lukewarm on the rest of the OneRepublic catalogue. If I'm totally honest, I did not see that coming. I mean, Say is such a part of my story since 2009 and even today, it can still elicit tears from me, depending on my mood. I don't mean to belabour the point, but genuinely, that song resonated to deeply with me and my innermost wishes. How can it be that something so evocative can come out of a band that I otherwise could take or leave with utter indifference?
Is this a case of "Even a broken clock is right twice a day?"
All I need...
...Wish you were here.
Friday, February 7, 2014
February 7/14
I know you are just dying for an update on the interviews today, but you'll have to wait a couple of weeks, for two reasons: one, the competition is still on-going and several of our friends and colleagues have yet to have their interviews, and two, oh. my. gawd. I had an experience that just defies common sense, and I need time to get over the nerves about it and move on to the 'look back and laugh' stage.
Instead, you will be treated to my thoughts on the Olympics opening ceremony!
The Fashion Parade:
The big flops were Argentina, France, the US, Italy, Israel and Canada. Argentina underwhelmed with boring, dark, straightforward colours. France...I don't know what to say to you, Lacoste. Fail. The French as supposed to be known for their fashion instincts, and instead, they kitted out their team in mismatched comfortable tan dungarees and depressing medium grey coats. Oy. The US...I believe I heard it somewhere on The Colbert Report or some comedy show, but honestly those jackets look like a cardigan fucked a quilt and the result was that coat design. Italy, I mean, come on, Giorgio Armani, are you just phoning this in? Bo-ring! Israel...your team genuinely looked like you raided your grandfather's closet and stole his leisure suits (multiple, because he finds them so comfortable, he bought a dozen so he'd always have them around). And Canada, it wasn't awful, but we've done so much better in the past, this was just not up to those standards. Honourable mention to Georgia, which had way too many flags and their country name covering every surface.
The big winners were the Austrian and Slovenian toques, the Norwegian 60s hipster-fabulous hats, the Danes boots and laces, the Czech hats (YES! FTW!), and the Russian teams coordinated pants and jackets look. Honourable mention goes to the Slovaks for putting their enormous flagbearer, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in a uniform covered in hearts. It was an AWWW moment.
The Show:
I liked the tributes to the arts and literature of Russia, but they totally lost me once the goofy whale made of dancers and dancing buildings came on the scene. My attention was completely gone by the time the 1917 Revolution dragged its way across the arena. After that there was a floating hammer and sickel, a brilliant Soprano singing the Olympic Anthem, and, oh hey, a Chinese Baby tricking out of a skateboard, that's adorable!
Oh, right, the show. Yeah, it ended with a racist lighting the olympic torch. Good job, Russian Federation. Because nothing reflects the Olympic spirit of human achievement better than the offcial torch being lit by someone who compares Black people to monkeys. So enlightened.
And with that, I will finish my wine and go to bed.
Happy Olympicing!
...Wish you were here.
Instead, you will be treated to my thoughts on the Olympics opening ceremony!
The Fashion Parade:
The big flops were Argentina, France, the US, Italy, Israel and Canada. Argentina underwhelmed with boring, dark, straightforward colours. France...I don't know what to say to you, Lacoste. Fail. The French as supposed to be known for their fashion instincts, and instead, they kitted out their team in mismatched comfortable tan dungarees and depressing medium grey coats. Oy. The US...I believe I heard it somewhere on The Colbert Report or some comedy show, but honestly those jackets look like a cardigan fucked a quilt and the result was that coat design. Italy, I mean, come on, Giorgio Armani, are you just phoning this in? Bo-ring! Israel...your team genuinely looked like you raided your grandfather's closet and stole his leisure suits (multiple, because he finds them so comfortable, he bought a dozen so he'd always have them around). And Canada, it wasn't awful, but we've done so much better in the past, this was just not up to those standards. Honourable mention to Georgia, which had way too many flags and their country name covering every surface.
The big winners were the Austrian and Slovenian toques, the Norwegian 60s hipster-fabulous hats, the Danes boots and laces, the Czech hats (YES! FTW!), and the Russian teams coordinated pants and jackets look. Honourable mention goes to the Slovaks for putting their enormous flagbearer, Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara in a uniform covered in hearts. It was an AWWW moment.
The Show:
I liked the tributes to the arts and literature of Russia, but they totally lost me once the goofy whale made of dancers and dancing buildings came on the scene. My attention was completely gone by the time the 1917 Revolution dragged its way across the arena. After that there was a floating hammer and sickel, a brilliant Soprano singing the Olympic Anthem, and, oh hey, a Chinese Baby tricking out of a skateboard, that's adorable!
Oh, right, the show. Yeah, it ended with a racist lighting the olympic torch. Good job, Russian Federation. Because nothing reflects the Olympic spirit of human achievement better than the offcial torch being lit by someone who compares Black people to monkeys. So enlightened.
And with that, I will finish my wine and go to bed.
Happy Olympicing!
...Wish you were here.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
February 6/14
'Twas the night before the interview, and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring, and gawd interviews suck.
Tomorrow morning, Etienne goes in at 9, I go in at 10:10.
Sorry I don't have much to say about today, but it's all interview prep. Several people have provided us with resources and coaching, but at some point, you panic because you don't know anything, you think you don't have examples, and you experience a crisis of confidence so deep, you wonder how you even managed to get the job you have now, you blithering idiot, you.
I don't worry about process questions. After four years in the public service, I know the way things (should) get done. It's those questions like "Where do you see yourself in five years" (I don't know, I don't plan what I'm doing tomorrow night, never mind 5 years away); "What areas do you think you need improvement in" (Um, all the areas? Do you want to hear what I'm good at or how much I suck?); or "Tell us about a time when you had a problem working with a colleague, what did you do?" (Honestly? I get into a yelling match with her because she refused to let me talk. Yeah, I've done that.)...those I hate. I hope we don't get any of those tomorrow.
Wish us luck...
...Wish you were here.
Tomorrow morning, Etienne goes in at 9, I go in at 10:10.
Sorry I don't have much to say about today, but it's all interview prep. Several people have provided us with resources and coaching, but at some point, you panic because you don't know anything, you think you don't have examples, and you experience a crisis of confidence so deep, you wonder how you even managed to get the job you have now, you blithering idiot, you.
I don't worry about process questions. After four years in the public service, I know the way things (should) get done. It's those questions like "Where do you see yourself in five years" (I don't know, I don't plan what I'm doing tomorrow night, never mind 5 years away); "What areas do you think you need improvement in" (Um, all the areas? Do you want to hear what I'm good at or how much I suck?); or "Tell us about a time when you had a problem working with a colleague, what did you do?" (Honestly? I get into a yelling match with her because she refused to let me talk. Yeah, I've done that.)...those I hate. I hope we don't get any of those tomorrow.
Wish us luck...
...Wish you were here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)